Linda Parker, Angie McEwen, Karen Odle, Martha Cook

In the 12 years Karen Odle has served as Executive Director of the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce, she’s seen the organization only strengthen its track record of fostering the community’s emerging leaders. 

Clearly she’s onto something – under her leadership, Chamber membership has swelled from 296 to more than 1,100. The membership mix includes longtime area business advocates but also many younger businessmen and women that Odle sees as the next wave of city leaders. 

Growing a diverse, highly engaged Chamber membership base is a personal passion for Odle; it goes above and beyond executing on the Chamber’s mission: to promote and improve the economic, civic, education and general business conditions of its members and the Vestavia Hills community, and to work with other organizations in these endeavors in a non-partisan manner.

“The leaders to date have done a great job of setting the pathway, and I want to see that continue to grow, especially with the younger people in our community carrying that forward,” said Odle. “We’re blessed to live in a community like Vestavia Hills where we strive for excellence and where we want what is best for our children, our families and our community. It’s a team effort and it’s exciting to see.” 

One area where Odle has seen particular success is in the Chamber’s role helping foster the leadership and contributions of its female members. Women are increasingly serving as Chair of the Chamber Board, a fact that bears mention in an organization formed in 1981. 

The trend is in sharp contrast to Odle’s experience when she first entered the work force in the 1970s.

“At that time women were just becoming integrated into management and leadership roles,” said Odle. “It was difficult for women. To go from that to where we are now, where the contributions of our female leaders have become such a significant part of what we do, and where some of my biggest supporters are the men who sit on our board, it’s phenomenal.”

“From the beginning, we’ve benefitted from the involvement of leaders whose openness and willingness helped the Chamber grow and thrive,” she said. “I hope those who visit us today find the environment welcoming and collaborative – a place where they can put their skills to use to help us become our very best.” 

Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce

823-5011 • www.vestaviahills.org • 1975 Merryvale Road

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